Mihintale and a monastery with a local guide

Located close to the ancient capital of Anuradhapura, Mihintale is believed to be the site where Mahinda a Buddhist monk from India and King Devanampiyatissa, the ruler of the kingdom at that point met for the first time. This meeting would go on to inspire the king to embrace Buddhism and encourage his countrymen to do so as well. This sacred site is surrounded by several religious monuments and is revered by Buddhists across the island.

Experience Overview

Explore the sacred site of Mihintale with a local guide who has in depth knowledge about the area and its history. Recognized as a sacred site that changed the history of Sri Lanka, Mihintale is surrounded by several monuments including Ambasthale Dagoba, Naga Pokuna (Snake Pond) and 68 caves. The climb to the peak of Mihintale is quite steep but manageable. From there continue towards Kaludiya Pokuna (Black Water Pond), a local and ancient monastery where monks still practice meditation.

Includes:

Host and refreshments

Difficulty:

Easy

Suitable for children:

Yes, for children above the age of 8 years

Times:

8:30AM or 3:30PM (1.5 hours)

What to wear or bring along:

Light cool clothing, a cap, sunscreen, wear a good pair of shoes.

Important to know:

During the month of Poson (June), the site can be crowded as devotees come to Mihintale on a pilgrimage.

Private or not?

This experience is private but there may be other people around at the site.

About the Host

Your host has spent most of his life in Anuradhapura and has studied Buddhism and tourism development in Sri Lanka and overseas. His extensive knowledge on the two subjects has helped him provide insightful experiences avoiding the regular tourist trail.

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Managing Expectations

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It is important to remember that, whilst they are experts in their field, the people who run or host our experiences are not necessarily used to working in the tourism industry and may not offer the level of service you would find at a five-star hotel. For example, instead of a formal lecture, you may get a relaxed conversation where open discussion is encouraged. All of our hosts are, however, extremely engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about educating visitors about their chosen subject and we have worked with them to ensure that they deliver worthwhile, fulfilling experiences. We welcome feedback, so please let us know what you thought and if you think any improvements could be made to the experiences we offer.
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Miguel Cunat is a Partner of Sri Lanka In Style founded in 2005 to provide visitors with insightful, engaging experiences in his adopted homeland. Recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as Sri Lanka’s Top Travel Specialist, and recently featured on Wendy Perrin’s WOW List.